Hiuchigatake

Stratovolcano in Japan

Last Eruption: 1544

Key Facts

Elevation

2,356 m (7,730 ft)

Type

Stratovolcano

Location

36.955°, 139.285°

Region

Northeast Japan Volcanic Arc

Rock Type

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Location

Loading map...

Overview

Hiuchigatake volcano lies in Nikko National Park and erupted the 8 km3 Hiuchigatake-Nanairi tephra and pyroclastic flow deposit about 170,00-160,000 years ago. Two lava domes at the southern end of the summit overlook Ozenuma lake, a popular hiking destination in the national park. The southern of the two domes, Akanagure, produced a series of viscous lava flows about 3500 years ago that extend to the S and W flanks.

The northern dome, Miike, was the source of a tephra layer correlated with a report of historical activity in 1544 (Hayakawa, 1994b).

Volcanic Hazards & Risk Assessment

Primary Hazards

Pyroclastic flows
Lava flows
Volcanic bombs and ballistics
Lahars and mudflows

Risk Level

Population at RiskHigh

Infrastructure RiskModerate

Aviation RiskSignificant

Geological Composition & Structure

Rock Types

Primary

Andesite / Basaltic Andesite

Silica Content

Intermediate (57-63% SiO₂)

Tectonic Setting

Subduction zone

Formed by oceanic plate subduction, typically producing explosive eruptions due to water-rich magmas.

Age & Formation

Epoch

Holocene

Evidence

Eruption Observed

Eruption Statistics & Analysis

Metric	Value	Global Ranking	Significance
Total Recorded Eruptions	Unknown	Low	Moderately active volcano
Maximum VEI	VEI Unknown	Minor	Local impact potential
Recent Activity	482 years ago	Historical	Historically active

Monitoring & Alert Status

Monitoring Networks

Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)

Real-time seismic monitoring

Geological Survey of Japan

Geochemical monitoring

Global Volcanism Program

International eruption database

Current Status

Normal

No recent activity. Routine monitoring continues.

Nearby Volcanoes in Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions

Regional Volcanic Activity

The Northwestern Pacific Volcanic Regions contains multiple active volcanic systems. Cross-regional magma interactions and tectonic stresses can influence eruption patterns across the entire arc. Monitor regional seismic activity and volcanic alerts.

Quick Info

•Smithsonian ID: 283131
•Evidence: Eruption Observed
•Epoch: Holocene

About the Photo

Hiuchigatake rises above Ozenuma lake, seen here from the SE. Two lava domes at the southern end of the summit have been active during the Holocene. The northern dome produced viscous lava flows about 3,500 years ago, and the southern dome was the source of an explosive eruption in 1544 CE.

Copyrighted photo by Shun Nakano, 1996 (Japanese Quaternary Volcanoes database, RIODB, http://riodb02.ibase.aist.go.jp/strata/VOL_JP/EN/index.htm and Geol Surv Japan, AIST, http://www.gsj.jp/).